EPIC AND WILD - THE SMALL ISLES EXPEDITION

6 day expedition
The Small Isles
Wild camp

The Small Isles – Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna – are a group of islands west of Arisaig. Rich in marine life and with a dramatic coastline of cliffs, sea caves and secluded bays, the Small Isles are a fantastic sea kayaking destination. Exploring them will be our objective on this trip - paddling the open crossings between islands and exploring the wonderful variety of coastline.

This is a true sea kayaking expedition: We will be entirely self sufficient, carrying all the food and equipment we need and paddling in a range of conditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A six day expedition exploring the islands of Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna, with open crossings between the islands and exposed coastline to explore.

Wild island full of individual character and history.

Wild camp in spectacular places or stay in bunkhouses/huts in the small settlements on the islands.

The islands are rich in wildlife - Eagles and Puffins, Seals and Otters, Dolphins and Whales can all be seen here.

6 Days | £690 per person | food included | scroll down for full details.

Grade:

TRIP GRADING

GREEN

These trips are designed for people with little or no experience of sea kayaking or those with some sea kayaking experience who just want to go on a relaxing journey. The locations will be based on providing an enjoyable journey that is within the capabilities of a beginner but could be enjoyed by any level of kayaker.

Have little or no experience of sea kayaking.

Want to learn about sea kayaking.

Want to have a good time exploring.

BLUE

These trips are ideal for those who have some sea kayaking experience and want to build on their existing skills, or want to try a more challenging journey. These trips may involve full day of sea kayaking of around 15km and some slightly rougher conditions with winds around force 3/4. The emphasis is on exploring a wild area whilst building skills and experience in sea kayaking. If you have your BCU 2 star award then you'll fit in with these trips.

For those with some experience of sea kayaking.

Can be suited to those with no sea kayaking experience but a good level of fitness and an ability to learn quickly.

Progressive skills and longer journeys.

RED

These trips are for those who enjoy a challenge. Longer days up to 25km, longer open crossings and rougher seas (up to 1m waves) can be expected on these trips. If you have your BCU 3 star sea award (or higher) then these trips are for you.

Suitable for those with an intermediate level of sea kayaking experience (10 days+).

Spectacular locations.

Great if you want to start to build more advanced skills and experience.

BOOK NOW

We have scheduled trips running on the dates shown below. Please get in touch if you'd like us to run a bespoke trip outside of these dates.

STORY

Shown as a guide, each trip has its own story, plans are always open to change.

*LEAVING CROSSING ARRIVING - Nowadays its almost impossible to know distance, we can compare and equate kilometres and miles and work out timings and routes but it all goes by so fast - the blur of objects passing windows faster than we can realise.

Sitting in a kayak at the edge of the Arisaig Skerries, the bow pointing towards the Isle of Eigg and we can start to think about how far those 12km actually are - a distance that will occupy the next two hours of our effort and time. The small skerries have passed in the detail of crabs scurrying along the sandy seabed or the weave and glide of the kayak between the rocks. Ahead of us is a deep blue - an open space bigger than anything we have ever known.

Mid-way through the crossing we can pause and just float, fully aware of being out at sea - the circling Shearwaters and the dark hump of a Minke Whale showing us welcome flashes of detail framed in the outline of islands.

Those first few steps on dry land, the turn back and the slow squint at the hazy shape of land we have paddled from. Through leaving, crossing and arriving on the island we get to know, really know, how far we have come. Those 12km are mapped not in an abstract number but in our effort and strength, thoughts and feelings, sights and sounds - The first 12km of a slow, purposeful and beautiful journey.

DAY ONE *LEAVING CROSSING ARRIVING

|Meet Arisaig at 09.30

| Prepare for the expedition

| Sea kayak journey

| Stay - Wild camp

*A WILD BEACH AT SUNSET - The beach lay at the north end of Rum, the Isle of Skye a distant, jagged skyline above the sand and sea. At the top of the beach was small area of dunes and grass where we pitched our tents, now lit up by the low sun.

The evening was still and clear, we had sat together for dinner, sharing the preparation and cooking before dispersing to some part of the beach or headland that caught our curiosity and led us off into the wild. The Red Deer watched us from the hillside above and the Terns darted overhead, screeching down on us if we ventured too close to their nests.

I made my way down to the beach and watched the Oyster catchers. Two pairs of birds scurried across the sand, flew low and piped loudly or watched from the rocks above. As the light faded and the stillness grew, the movement of each bird became a dark shape blurred across the deep glow of the reflected light in the sand and sea.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, we re-grouped on the beach, lit a small fire and shared a wee dram, recounting the days adventures on the sea.

DAY TWO - FOUR *A WILD BEACH AT SUNSET

| Explore by sea kayak

| Stay - Wild camp

*AN ISLAND HOME - Arriving at the sandy lagoon between Canna and Sanday and hearing the sound of voices lift over the dunes seemed a little strange after the rhythmic churn of the sea - a little strange but welcome. The crossing to the island tested our skills and nerve as we negotiated the exposed coast of the Isle of Rum, pushing us to use the tactics and experience we'd gained from our time on the sea.

Paddling on past the waterside houses, we land on the small beach in front of a long white building - Cafe Canna, and set about exploring the menu. The afternoon passes on island time - friendly words with the few locals we meet, eagles overhead and footprints in the sand.

That evening our cafe table is stacked with Lobster - landed that afternoon from a local boat and we catch in each others eyes a knowing flash - we have definitely earned this!

DAY FIVE - SIX *AN ISLAND HOME

| Explore by sea kayak

| Stay - Wild camp

| Trip ends - Arisaig 16.30

DATES AND PRICES

£690 per person, includes guiding, equipment and food

BOOK NOW

We have scheduled trips running on the dates shown below. Please get in touch if you'd like us to run a bespoke trip outside of these dates.

ACCOMMODATION

For this trip we will be wild camping - we'll find some excellent places to camp above wild beaches. There is also the option of staying in the bunkhouse or Pods on the islands.

FOOD

Includes meals - lunch on day one through to lunch on day 6. We can accommodate any dietary requirements if notified in advance.

START AND FINISH

Meet at Arisaig at 09.30. Finish at 16.30 Arisaig.

Travelling to the Highlands

BY TRAIN

There is a train station at Arisaig. It is situated on the line between Fort William and Mallaig, Arisaig is approximately 1 hour from Fort William by train. Fort William can be reached by train from Glasgow - from which there are many connections. There are overnight sleeper trains running from London Euston to Fort William, information here:

Fly to Inverness, then hire a car or get the Citylink bus to Fort William, then local bus or train or taxi to get to Arisaig.

Or fly to Glasgow and get the Citylink bus to Fort William (then local bus to Arisaig) or the train to Fort William/Arisaig.

Or fly to another Scottish airport and travel from there.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What size of group?

Up to 8 people.

Who else will be on the trip?

Like minded adventurers, individuals, couples or small groups of friends.

Do I need sea kayaking experience?

This trip is graded Red. We will paddle some open crossings up to 12km and there are some exposed sections of coastline, we may paddle up to 25km in a day.

What will the weather be like?

The weather on the West coast of Scotland can vary through the course of the season and from area to area - Scottish islands and coastline can see dramatically better weather and more sunshine than more mountainous areas inland. This changeable nature makes the west coast landscape what it is - elemental and powerful. Scotland has a real feeling of drama and intrigue because of its weather. If we do experience stronger winds and rough seas then there are more sheltered areas within the Sound that we can use.

Midges?

Midges are most active during mid summer, it only takes a light breeze or direct sunlight to keep them away and they don't venture out onto the sea. We rarely experience problems with midges on sea kayak trips but in humid, still and overcast conditions they may be out.

What kit do I need to bring?

We can provide all camping kit and sea kayaking kit if needed. Please see the kit list for more info.

KIT LIST

KIT LIST

What we can provide:

Kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, waterproof kayaking jacket and trousers, wetsuit if required (we rarely use wetsuits), wetsuit boots (bring a pair of socks to wear with these), spraydeck. If you have some or all of your own kayaking kit and would rather paddle in that then feel free to bring it along.

Camping kit

The guide will bring stoves for group use, if you are cooking your own food then we can provide a stove and pans.

Plate, mug, knife, fork and spoon.

Tent*

Sleeping mat

Sleeping bag (£10 rental charge per trip)*

*please let us know in advance if you wish to borrow these items

Kit you need to bring:

Not an exhaustive list, this is just the essentials, adapt this list to the trip and the season:

Hats – a fleece hat or beanie and a cap or sunhat

Sunglasses – it can be very bright on the water, cheap pairs are better in case you lose them.

Clothes – it can be colder than you think out on the water, so more clothes are better than less. Synthetic clothing – like hill walking or cycling tops work well as they are warm when wet and dry quickly. Try to avoid cotton as it dries very slowly and isn’t very warm when wet. Always bring a change of clothes and towel.

Midge head net + avon skin so soft or deterrent of choice! Midges are rarely a problem around Arisaig and are not something to worry about. But a head net doesn't take up much space and is useful if we get unlucky with the midges.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full terms and conditions regarding booking our trips can be read here.